Hot Picks 02.12.26

 Friday, Feb. 13

Anti-Romance

It’s the concert of your prickly dreams. Just kidding. But for the anti-Valentine – the person who tends to steer clear of sappy love songs with cheesy endings or those that make your heart bleed – there’s a concert for you. Presented by Not Loud Concerts, a group that focuses on creating experiences that are casual and fun for both musicians and audiences – never too long, never too expensive, and of course, never too loud – they are putting together a show for those of us sick of Valentine’s Day. The concert will feature no romantic songs; instead, it will showcase songs that take an unvarnished look at love. Come rock out to Dirty Cello, a San Francisco-based rock and blues band, playing blues tunes where no one escapes unscathed, or rock songs that don’t end with a kiss. There might even be a bluegrass murder ballad or two. [KR]

7-8pm Friday, Feb. 13. Power Plant Coffee, 7900 Highway 1, Moss Landing. $20, $25/door. notloudconcerts.com.

She is Woman

Ms Taylor P Collins is a talented contemporary blues and jazz artist, vocalist and bandleader, originally mentored by the legendary vocalist Miss Ruth Brown. Collins has carved out a long career, sharing the stage with greats like Etta James, The Neville Brothers, Gladys Night and others. She’s also opened for John Handy, LaVerne Baker and Jefferson Starship. Collins leads her own powerhouse band to perform the Strong Confident Woman Show, a compilation of original material and reimagined jazz standards with plenty of improvisational and inspirational moments that will sure to put you in the groove. [PM]

7-9:30pm Friday, Feb. 13. Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave St., Monterey. $26. (831) 655-2010, wavestreetlive774.com.

Show Luv

For those who have been in love, or at least thought they were, they know it is far more complex than just those four letters. It can also have a dark side: messy, heartbreaking, toxic… and so on. Music can be a balm for the soul, especially when the lyrics resonate with what one is going through or wants to get away from. During Luv Sux IV, various artists, including Flaco El Jandro and DJ Lizzy Al Toque, will take the crowd on an emotional and musical roller-coaster, including Chicano music, Latin psychedelic and cumbia. [CJ]

8-11pm Friday, Feb. 13. Live @Heirloom, 344 Main St., Salinas. $20-$110. (831) 998-8824, heirloompizzapie.com/salinas.

 Saturday, Feb. 14

Smart Date

For those with a limited budget and an intellectual love interest, who still need a date idea for Valentine’s Day, check out the intriguing exhibits at the Stanton Center for free. From the work of the late Big Sur-based artist Emile Norman – whose four-panel endomosaic depicting the history of Monterey is on display – to a collection of historic photos of Old Fisherman’s Wharf and an exhibit about the real cowboys of Monterey, there are plenty of opportunities to learn something new together with your special someone. [AS]

Noon-4pm Saturday, Feb. 14. Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center, 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. Free. (831) 649-9161, montereyhistory.org/stanton-center.

Party After Dark

If you never got invited to the prom, or if yours took place above a dialysis clinic (true story), here’s a chance to make up for it, better late than never. It’s the Grown Folks Prom Night, meaning it’s for those ages 21 and up, so it’s OK if there’s spiked punch. Dance along to the hits from your senior year that are now considered “throwback” with DJ Khosmo, and come dressed to impress – the Prom King and Prom Queen will be crowned through a voting process. There’s no curfew (except when the event ends), so there’s still a whole night ahead for you. That should help ease the sting from high school. [EC]

7-11pm Saturday, Feb. 14. The Otter’s Den, 3166 Vista Del Camino, Marina. $34; $45/VIP. (831) 883-1227, bit.ly/GrownFolksProm2026.

Wang’s World

There comes a point in our lives when we just don’t care about what others think of us. Sheng Wang can pinpoint that exact moment: when we buy Kirkland Signature-branded pants from Costco. “That’s when we let go of our egos,” he said during a stand-up routine. The Los Angeles-based comedian also has a custom that should be followed by anyone who attempts to visit Costco in Salinas on a Saturday. If he can’t find a parking spot within eight minutes, he will take off – and that’s OK, today is just not the day to buy toilet paper in bulk. Wang’s comedic career includes credits as a writer for the sitcom Fresh Off the Boat and a 2022 Netflix special, Sweet & Juicy. Hear his take on everyday life through his uniquely droll delivery. [EC]

7pm Saturday, Feb. 14. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $40-$65. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.

Funny Love

Valentine’s Day is a cheesy pseudo holiday that, for a good portion of us, is better known as Singles Awareness Day. There’s plenty of material to make fun of here, and thankfully, some prominent comedians are coming to town to give us all a good laugh, whether we’re coupled or not. Memorable comedians from the San Francisco Comedy Competition will offer their surely hilarious take on Valentine’s Day. The night will be headlined by Orion Levine, who has made appearances on The Late Late Show with James Corden and Comedy Central. He’ll be joined by the Bay Area’s own Emily Van Dyke and the competition’s 2024 semi-finalist Xander Beltran. [EC]

7:30-9:30pm Saturday, Feb. 14. Folktale Winery & Vineyards, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. $50. (831) 293-7500, folktalewinery.com.

 Sunday, Feb. 15

Queen Bee

First, let’s get the bad news out of the way: The maternal mortality rate for Black women is 2.6 times higher than for white women. But here’s the good news: People, including local people such as Seaside’s LyVesha Franklin, are doing something to improve that grim data. Franklin is a mother, a birth educator, a health outreach worker and a community organizer – in short, she is a force. Her effort to bring Black-centered birthing resources to local moms is called Kweens’ Kounsel, celebrating its third anniversary (fittingly during Black History Month) with a party and guest speakers. Learn about this unique Black girl magic and join in. [SR]

4-6pm Sunday, Feb. 15. Marina library, 190 Seaside Circle, Marina. Free. kweenskounsel@gmail.com, birthnetworkofmonterey.com.

 Wednesday, Feb. 18

Good Beer

Conversations just get better when alcohol is involved. You know it, we know it, the folks at Everyone’s Harvest know it. Field Notes on Tap is a series of discussions hosted by the nonprofit farmers market operator at Hops and Fog in Pacific Grove in support of its food programs. In this edition, Katie Blandin – owner of Pearl Hour and known for cocktails using ingredients picked from her garden and spirits from distilleries using ethically sourced practices – talks about sustainability, food access and other important topics. Learning something and helping a good cause while getting a beer buzz just sounds like a perfect evening. [DF]

6-8pm Wednesday, Feb. 18. Hops and Fog Brewing Co., 511 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $25; $30/door. (831) 384-6961, everyonesharvest.org.

Go to The Hop

If you thought Carmel was frozen in time, you wouldn’t be totally wrong. But the Sunset Cultural Center isn’t mad about that because it’s bringing the music from a bygone era to show for it. Think Jersey Boys, Motown, Hairspray and even Grease vibes. Guys, grab some pommade, and dames, put on your best poodle skirt and saddle shoes for a night with The Doo Wop Project. Though the sights and sounds will be reminiscent of the 1950s and 1960s, the lyrics and melodies may have a certain modern tone to them. They’re here to show you that just about any song can be “doo-wop-ified.” [SC]

7:30pm Wednesday, Feb. 18. Sunset Cultural Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $45-$75. (831) 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.

HOT PICKS by Sloan Campi, Erik Chalhoub, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Katie Rodriguez, Sara Rubin and Aric Sleeper.